Zoomi Life

It’s not often that I say something like “Wow” when I look at a scooter or moped. I don’t generally like them. This one is different. The XM-5000Li electric moped has a lot of great features for such a low-priced machine, including a boatload of power. Most mopeds are underpowered little things without much excuse for their existence. Not this one.

The XM-5000Li is all-electric, of course, and has a 5,000 watt rear hub motor, but manages to be very lightweight because of it’s lithium-ion batteries (thus the “Li” in the name), coming in at only 216 pounds total weight. Yet it can carry up to 400 pounds in payload, so two can ride comfortably.

The motor is hub-mounted, so there’s no chain or belt, which is normally the highest-maintenance part on electric scooters of this type. It’s also got ABS braking on both wheels and a maximum range of about 85 miles with a top speed of 60mph. Impressive for such a small machine.

Here’s some more specs:

• 60 Amp/60 Volt/5000 Watts
• Street legal in all 50 states
• 6 month scooter warranty
• 2 year battery warranty
• 1 year motor warranty

Pretty good numbers for something like this. That’s why I said “wow.” I’m not going to claim that this bike will win any design contests for its looks—it’s a moped, after all. I will say that it’s not ugly like most mopeds and doesn’t have the “geek factor” most of them do either. The 21 batteries on this bike are slung low on the frame, offering great stability and a low center of gravity.

Since it’s street-legal in all fifty states, the moped comes with a VIN number on the frame and a license (MCO) for titling in your state.  You’ll most likely have to have a motorcycle operator’s license to ride it.

For practicality, the XM-5000Li is pretty good on features too. It’s got a cargo space under the seat that’s about the size of a large sack of groceries and a stable (insulated) kick stand as well. The seat is about 34 inches high and it uses a twist throttle like a motorcycle with an easy-to-read LED dash. The tires are standard moped/motorcycle sized and so are easily found after-market for replacement, if needed. The batteries have a 2-year warranty and will likely last 5-7 years under normal use.

This is a great get-around electric moped with a lot of potential for use in the urban and suburban market. I’m not easily impressed, especially by mopeds and scooters, but this one gets an “A.” Along with it’s little brothers, the XM-3500Li electric moped and the XM-3000 electric moped, the XM-5000Li electric moped is available right now for about $6,000, nationally, through independent distributors as a 2009 model.

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